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No homework from me yet, Jan. But in response to your question regarding building a good short story, I've read that most readers will get through the first 4/5 of the story only to be let down by the conclusion.

I don't know why this is, possibly it's due to poor plotting, not really having the elements of a beginning and a middle that builds to a meaningful climax. Maybe the ending is too convenient (the MC awoke to find it was all only a dream) or simply too predictable.

As you are pointing out the importance of grammar, punctuation, dialogue and characters, I think such things as poor plotting can ruin a good story just as easily.

Loren

"And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in everything." From "As You Like It." Wm. Shakespeare.

Since joining Faithwriters, I've been working a lot on showing rather than telling. I think that sometimes, describing a character's thoughts can be necessary in telling a story. (Which should be done very carefully.) However, most of what needs to be conveyed can be done better in showing -- especially in a Writing Challenge entry.

Also, "showing" allows the reader to think for themselves rather have every detail explained to them. It engages them, urging them to fit together pieces of a puzzle by examining the actions and dialogue of the characters. Which makes the story more fun for the writer and the reader.

Sentence structure has always been a pet peeve of mine. In my writing, as I'm proofreading, if I discover that a certain sentence structure has been overused, I try to shake it up a bit.

This is an invaluable lesson! I find that although I somehow made it to Advanced (by God's grace), I need to work on all the topics that you covered as much as anyone.

"I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves." ~ C.S. Lewis

"I write for the same reason I breathe – because if I didn't I would die." ~ Isaac Asimov

Shark Boy didn't know it yet, but he was in love with Lava Girl and would soon wish to spend an eternity with her.

Show:
Raging bursts of flame flowed from Lava Girl's palms. Shark boy had seen this before, but this time it was different.

"You saved me," he said, not willing to remove his eyes from hers. His stomach was fluttery and he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to stay near her. "I'm not sure what's happening to me," he said, "But I don't want it to end."

PS: The movie 'SharkBoy and LavaGirl' is playing on the tv in the background, so I kinda cheated here.

Shark Boy didn't know it yet, but he was in love with Lava Girl and would soon wish to spend an eternity with her.

Show:Raging bursts of flame flowed from Lava Girl's palms. Shark boy had seen this before, but this time it was different.

"You saved me," he said, not willing to remove his eyes from hers. His stomach was fluttery and he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to stay near her. "I'm not sure what's happening to me," he said, "But I don't want it to end."

PS: The movie 'SharkBoy and LavaGirl' is playing on the tv in the background, so I kinda cheated here.

WFN

HaHa! I was gonna say, "Somebody likes kid superhero movies!" Great job with the showing rather than telling. Love it.

"I am sure that some are born to write as trees are born to bear leaves." ~ C.S. Lewis

"I write for the same reason I breathe – because if I didn't I would die." ~ Isaac Asimov

Telling: Laura was awake all night with her crying daughter. She was exhausted from walking the hall for hours.

Showing: Tripping over her bunny-slippered feet, Laura stopped to lean against the hallway wall. With little Susie still threshing in her arms, Laura squeezed the infant snuggly while heavy eyelids involuntarily closed.

Shark Boy didn't know it yet, but he was in love with Lava Girl and would soon wish to spend an eternity with her.

Show:Raging bursts of flame flowed from Lava Girl's palms. Shark boy had seen this before, but this time it was different.

"You saved me," he said, not willing to remove his eyes from hers. His stomach was fluttery and he couldn't shake the feeling of wanting to stay near her. "I'm not sure what's happening to me," he said, "But I don't want it to end."

PS: The movie 'SharkBoy and LavaGirl' is playing on the tv in the background, so I kinda cheated here.

WFN

HaHa! I was gonna say, "Somebody likes kid superhero movies!" Great job with the showing rather than telling. Love it.

FUNNY. The grandkids and I just watched this movie yesterday. I thought we were the only ones goofy enough to enjoy it. Glad to see there are other strange folks out there too.

Oh, my...reading through these posts...I have so much to LEARN. Well, i'm just going to continue entering the Writer's Challenge, and expect to learn from them. If i wait to write until I know more, I'll be 90 before I enter another challenge.

Love,Debbie

Thanks for all these interesting posts!

Debra (Debbie) Hindman

Luke 1:3 Amp."...It seemed good and desirable to me, [and so I have determined] also after having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus..."

Luke 1:3 Amp."...It seemed good and desirable to me, [and so I have determined] also after having searched out diligently and followed all things closely and traced accurately the course from the highest to the minutest detail from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus..."